Three different messages

In England, a flood alert means flooding is possible; a flood warning means flooding is expected; and a severe flood warning indicates danger to life. Do not wait for water to appear at the door before deciding how to respond.

Warnings do not cover every flood

Warnings may cover rivers, the sea or groundwater. Sudden rainfall overwhelming street drains can happen with little or no property-specific warning. Follow Met Office weather warnings and local authority advice as well.

Act early

Move medicines, documents and valuables to a safe place. Charge phones, check on anyone who may need help and make sure you know where you could go. Move vehicles only while the route is safe.

Electricity and gas

If advised to isolate supplies, only do so when you can reach switches and valves safely. Never touch electrical controls while standing in floodwater. Keep out of areas where cables or equipment may be submerged.

When to leave

Follow the emergency services. If there is immediate danger, call 999. Do not walk or drive through floodwater, which can conceal fast currents, open manholes and contamination.

Check official updates

Check current flooding in England and sign up for free flood warnings. Other UK nations operate their own services.

What each warning means for decisions

A flood alert means flooding is possible and you should remain prepared. A flood warning means flooding is expected in the warned area, while a severe flood warning signals danger to life. The wording matters, but the warning geography matters too. A warning for a river reach is not a guarantee about every property, and very local surface-water flooding can happen without the same form of warning. Use the appropriate official service for your nation and follow any instructions from emergency responders.

Prepare actions before the water arrives

Write down which items can safely be moved, where important documents are kept and how household members would leave if instructed. Have a plan for someone who may need help, including pets. Know where the gas, electricity and water controls are, but only isolate services if it is safe. Do not drive or walk through floodwater to check a property, and never delay evacuation to fit barriers or rescue possessions. A warning is useful only if the household knows what to do with it.

Understand the message and its limits

A flood alert indicates that flooding is possible and that you should remain aware and prepared. A flood warning means flooding is expected and immediate protective action may be necessary. A severe flood warning indicates danger to life. Read the actual location and advice attached to a message, not just the coloured symbol. These services have defined coverage, and some local surface-water incidents develop too quickly to produce a property-specific warning. An absence of a warning is therefore not a reason to ignore water already approaching your home.

Warnings and long-term risk maps answer different questions. One describes conditions and forecasts now; the other describes a range of possible future events. Use the official service for the part of the UK where the property is located.

Decide what you would do in advance

Keep essential medication, phone chargers, important contact details and a few necessary belongings accessible. Know which possessions can be moved safely and which are not worth risking injury for. If someone in the household has reduced mobility, relies on powered medical equipment or needs help leaving, make arrangements before a warning becomes urgent. Your plan should also include pets and a safe meeting place.

Do not drive or walk through floodwater to check a property, and do not enter a flooded basement to rescue possessions. Follow emergency-service instructions if evacuation is advised. After an event, keep the warning messages and a record of what actually happened; that information can help with insurance, future planning and discussions about property-level protection.

Know where official updates come from

Make a note of the official warning service for your nation of the UK, as well as local emergency advice channels. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not all use identical warning arrangements. Check whether the property is covered by alerts and whether registration is available. When bad weather is forecast, read any local message in full and keep your phone charged. Be particularly cautious with social-media photographs of flooding that may be from a different road or an earlier event.

Reliable further information

For current warnings, official flood-risk maps and safety advice, use the relevant government service. This website cannot assess live conditions at your home.

Government flood guidance · National Flood Forum · Citizens Advice